Exercising device



Jan. 1, 1952 N. D. LANTRY 2,580,932

- EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25, 1949 Patented Jan. 1, 1952 -UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates in general to exercis-- .ing devices, and inparticular to a device adapted to assist in developing certain musclesof the bodyand for removing excess weight. g Y

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a simpleform of exercising device which may be economically manufactured thusmaking it available to persons of all classes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device whichis simple in operation and which is so constructed as to be readilyfolded compactly for purposes of transportation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercising devicewhich is designed to particularly assist in developing muscles in thelegs. stomach and back.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an exercising devicewhich is sturdy and light weight and is so constructed that it may beused not only in a public gymnasium. but also in the privacy of ones ownhome.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercising devicewhich is based primarily on the theory of non-balance. In this way thedevice is so constructed as to hold the body in check entirely by muscleaction.

Still another and more specific object of the invention is to provide anexercising device which is capable of holding the lower part of the legsof a body in a fixed position and permit movement of allparts of thebody above the knees.

Another specific object is to provide an exercising device which isadjustable for holding the legs below the knees in a fixed position atany desired angle from a plane perpendicular to the horizontaldownwardly to approximately 80 from the perpendicular.

Other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent fromreading the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing in which:

. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of thejexercising device embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

' Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 2 butillustrated in foldedposition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing; and especially to Fig.1, it will be seen that the device consists primarily of two base orsupporting members 2 and 4. The forward end of each of the supports 2and 4 is provided with a hin'g'e member 6 provided with a pivot pin 8 towhich "a similar hinge member ID afllxed to the rear end-of eachextension l2 may be pivotally secured.

The rear end of each of the main'supports 2-4 has a similar hinge memberl4 mounted thereon and provided with a pivot pin l6. Rear extensions l8likewise have hinge members afilxed to the forward ends thereof, each ofwhich members 20 is pivotally mounted to the pivot pin I8.

I The hinge members 6-40 and l420 are so constructed as to permit thefront and rear end extensions l2 and I8 to be folded downwardly in themanner shown in Fig. 3. When these end members are extended for use ofthe device, however, the rear ends of the extensions [2 abut the forwardends of the members 2 and 4, and in a similar manner the rear ends ofthe members 2 and 4 abut the forward ends of the extensions 18, so thatfurther upward movement of these end extensions will be prevented.

The front extensions l2 and rear extensions I8 are preferably tiedtogether by means of transverse bars 22 and 24 to prevent any spreadingof these members resulting from the strain thereon during the use of thedevice. The end extensions l2 and [8 thus provide additional supportingarea for the device while it is in use and will prevent any movement ortipping of the device while a person is exercising thereon.

As stated previously the device is designed particularly to hold thelegs below the knees in a rigid position while other parts of the bodyabove the knees may be moved, whereupon development of the muscles inthe legs, stomach and back may be accomplished. To this end each of thebase supporting members 2--4 is provided with an arcuate substantiallysemicircular member 26 atthe inner edge thereof and with a similarsemi-circular member 28 at the outer edge thereof. These inner and outerarcuate members 26 and 28 have a plurality of corresponding openings 30therethrough for the reception of a suitable pin. Supporting bars 32 arepivotally secured at 34 at their lower ends to the outer edges of eachof the main supporting members 2-4. Similar supporting bars 36 arepivotally mounted at their lower ends to the inner edges of each of'thesupporting members 2 4. A band 38 is fastened at each side thereof tothe inner and outer supporting bars 32 and 36 thereby providing asupport for the forward side of the leg portion below the knee. Straps40 are also secured to the bars 32 and 36 and extend rearwardlytherefrom for the purpose of securing the leg rigidly. in place betweenthe bars 32 and 36 and against-the band 38.

If the person eusinggthc exercising device desires to perform-pertainexercises in an upright position, the person will stand with the feetreststomach and back. Exercising in this position develops only certainmuscles. Other muscles may be exercised when different positions of thebody are assumed, and for this reason the braces. which include the bars3236 may be located at various angles to the vertical. Fig. 3illustrate's thebrace in its lowermost position whereupon the person.

may strap the legs in these braces in the manner The device is simplein'construction-and may be folded very compactly as shown in Fig. 3 whenit is desired to carry the device from home to office or gymnasium.Exercising devices of this general nature heretofore have thedisadvantage of placing the 'weight'of the body on the bone structure,whereas the present invention overcomes this disadvantage by stressingmore the muscular portions of the body.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of partsfrom that disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spiritof the invention or sacrificing any of the attendant advantages thereofprovided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. An exercising device ofthe character described comprising an elongated main supportingstructure adapted to be positioned horizontally, bracing means mountedfor angular adjustment' in a substantially vertical plane intermediatethe ends of said structure and extending upwardly'therefrom and adaptedtorecei've and hold the legs of a -person,and means for maintainingsaidbracing means in any position to which adjusted. I 2; An exercisingdevice of the characterdescribed comprising an elongated main supportingstructure adapted to be positioned horizontally, bracing means pivotallymounted to rotate 9 about a substantially horizontal axis on saidstructure intermediate the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefromand adapted to re- 'ceive and hold the legs of a person, and means formaintaining said bracing means in any positionto which rotated.

'3. An exercising device of the character described comprising anelongated main support- "ingistructure adapted to "be positionedhorizon- .tally, bracing means mounted "for angular ,ad- 'justment in asubstantially vertical plane intermediate'the ends of said structure andextending upwardly therefrom and adapted to receive and hold the legs ofa person, means for maintaining said bracing means in any position towhich adjusted, supporting extensions on each end of said mainsupporting structure, and means mounting said extensions on said mainsupporting structure whereby said extensions may be folded and renderthe device compact for trans- ,portation.

4. An exercising deviceof the character described comprising a pair ofspaced substantially parallel main supporting members, leg bracing meanson each of said supporting members extending upwardly therefrom andpivotally secured thereto and including means for receiving and holdinga leg of a person using the device, arcuate supporting. members rigidlysecured to the inner and outer sides of each of said main supportingmembers, and means for adjustably securing said bracing means to saidarcuate memjbers'invarious positions.

5QAn'exe'rcis'ingdevice of the character described comprising-a pair ofspaced substantially parallel main supporting member's, legbraci'ngmeans on each of said supportingmembers extending upwardly therefrom andpivotally secured thereto and'includingmeans for receiving and holding aleg of a person using the device, arcuate supporting members rigidlysecured to the inner and outer sides of each of said main supportingmembers, means for adjustably securing said'bracing means to saidarcuatemembers in various positions, supporting extensions on each end of saidmain supporting structure, and means mounting said extensions on saidmain supporting structure whereby said extensions may be folded andrender the device compact for transportation. 6.'An exercising device ofthe'character described comprising a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel main supporting members, a substantially semi-circular elementsecured'to the inner and outer sides of each of said members andextending thereabove, a pluralityof openings in each ofsaidsemi-circular elements, a leg bracing member extending upwardly fromand pivotally mountedon each of said main supporting members andincluding means for receiving and holding a leg of a person using thedevice, each of said bracing members bei'ng located between the ends ofits corresponding semi-circular element,

and a pin adapted to be inserted in each side of each bracing member andthrough an opening in each of said semi-circular elements whereby saidbracing members may be held in various adjusted positions.

NORMAN D. LANTRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the filev ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES .PAYI'ENTS

